Certifying exam
$150 plus HST per certifying exam attempt. This is the standard fee printed on the exam scheduling page.
Red Seal · Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia
Fees and rewrites.
What each province publishes for a certifying exam attempt, a rewrite, and a trade-qualifier application. Last checked 15 October 2026.
Verified lines are quoted from the linked page. Lines marked TO-CONFIRM use that source's own wording and still need care. The calculator uses these same lines.
Ontario
First written attempt
Yes for completed Ontario apprentices. The first written certifying exam attempt is waived automatically; the waiver covers only the first written attempt, not practical exams, study materials or prep courses. Apprentices in more than one trade can qualify in each trade. The waiver is non-transferable.
Trade qualifier exam
Experienced workers without an Ontario apprenticeship pay the same $150 + HST exam fee, but only after Skilled Trades Ontario approves them to challenge the exam through a Trade Equivalency Assessment. The first attempt fee waiver is described as being for completed Ontario apprentices, so it does not appear to apply to trade qualifiers.
Trade Equivalency Assessment
The Trade Equivalency Assessment that a trade qualifier must pass before challenging the certifying exam costs $235 + HST. A reassessment costs $100 + HST.
Rewrite wait and fee
A mandatory 30-day waiting period after a failed attempt before you can retake the exam.
Every attempt after the first costs the standard $150 + HST. The fee is paid again before rescheduling.
TO-CONFIRM. Ontario does not list a separate interprovincial Red Seal exam fee. The same $150 + HST certifying exam fee covers both the provincial and Red Seal exam, and the same 30-day wait applies.
Skilled Trades Ontario exam scheduling
Alberta
TO-CONFIRM. Alberta does not publish a separate Red Seal or C of Q exam fee for apprentices. Apprentices in Red Seal trades write the Red Seal exam at their school after they pass the final period exam, so the exam is part of classroom instruction. The Apprenticeship Education Program application fee is $150.
Alberta Tradesecrets apply online
First-attempt waiver
No fee waiver for a first attempt is published for the Alberta Red Seal exam. What Alberta does publish is a free rewrite at the period-exam level: a Supplemental Exam costs no fee if you passed your classroom instruction coursework but failed the period exam.
Trades Qualifier application
Trades Qualifier program application fee runs $150 to $450 depending on the program. The first attempt at the theory exam is included in that application fee.
Later Red Seal application
Alberta lists the Interprovincial Red Seal Application at $150 for certified journeypersons and qualification certificate holders who apply later to write the Red Seal exam.
Repeat fails
After two unsuccessful attempts at the same eligible exam with a mark of at least 60% on one attempt, you must complete and get approval for an AIT Training Plan before an extra attempt is allowed. For the Red Seal exam written later by a certified journeyperson, two or more prior Red Seal attempts means you must provide at least 40 hours of additional study or upgrading with your application. An unsuccessful Red Seal exam cancels the application and a new application with fee is required.
The AIT Training Plan is required before an extra attempt when you have had two or more unsuccessful attempts at the same eligible exam and scored 60% or higher on at least one of them. An additional attempt is not guaranteed.
Trades Qualifier retake after two fails depends on the mark: below 70% cancels the application and you must reapply with fees and a Training Plan; a mark of 60% to 69% lets you submit a Training Plan within 30 days of the result letter, and if approved you pay the exam rewrite fee for a third attempt.
Alberta AIT training plan · Interprovincial Red Seal · Trades qualifier exams
TO-CONFIRM. Alberta says a new exam rewrite fee is required for a Trades Qualifier second attempt but does not publish the amount on the page. Practical exam fees vary by trade and must be paid before the exam is scheduled.
TO-CONFIRM. Trades Qualifier candidates get three theory exam attempts. Failing the third attempt cancels the application; to continue you must file a new application with fees and a Training Plan.
Alberta trades qualifier exams
British Columbia
Confirmed 15 October 2026 on the Exam Rewrites page.
Apprenticeship pathway
Apprenticeship pathway for level and certification exams: the 1st attempt and the 2nd attempt both cost no fee. The 3rd, 4th and 5th attempts each cost $100 for a certification exam, while level exams stay free. Rewrites are subject to a fee and a 30-day waiting period from the previous attempt.
Challenge pathway
Challenge pathway for trade qualifiers: the 1st attempt costs $120, which is the challenge application fee paid when you apply. The 2nd attempt is free, and the 3rd and 4th attempts cost $100 each.
Rewrite fee, wait, and limit
A 30-day waiting period from the previous attempt before a rewrite.
Certification exam rewrites cost $100 from the 3rd attempt onward on both the apprenticeship and challenge pathways. The 2nd attempt is free on both. Level exam rewrites stay free.
Trade qualifiers have been limited to four writes of their Certification Exam since December 1, 2023. If you wrote the same exam before that date, contact Customer Service to confirm rewrite eligibility.
Study plan, upgrading, and rescheduling
Apprenticeship pathway: a 3rd attempt requires a SkilledTradesBC approved study plan; a 4th attempt requires proof of upgrading; before a 5th attempt the Completions Team contacts you for support. Challenge pathway: a 3rd attempt needs Apprenticeship Advisor guidance and approval, and a 4th attempt needs proof of upgrading.
Effective August 1, 2026, Level Challengers in Skilled Trades Certification (compulsory) trades must challenge each trade in sequence. This is a process change, not a fee increase. A separate $100 exam rescheduling fee applies if you miss a scheduled exam or cancel within 30 days.
First and second attempts
Yes on both pathways. Apprenticeship pathway: 1st and 2nd attempts are No fee. Challenge pathway: the 1st attempt costs the $120 challenge application fee but the 2nd attempt is No fee.
Ontario gas technician exams
G3 and G2 are TSSA certificates. They are not Red Seal exams.
TSSA's natural gas fee schedule lists a Challenge Examination at $255.50 and an Other Examination at $89 (from May 1, 2026, plus HST). TSSA doesn't say which line applies to G3 or G2, so confirm the amount when you book.
Pass mark
At least 75% on the TSSA certification examination and at least 75% in each curriculum module, with 75% or higher on the practical evaluation.
Billing and attempts
Every examination and every re-write is billed. An exam re-write counts as a separate examination and is charged as one, whether the candidate passes or fails, and all prepaid fees are non-refundable.
Three attempts. Ontario Regulation 215/01 section 5 says a candidate who fails the certification examination on three attempts must take an accredited training program before being permitted to retake it.
After three failed attempts you must complete an accredited program that includes theory and practical training. A 'challenge' or 'pre-exam' course does not count as an accredited program, and you may not challenge a certificate after failing the examination for that same certificate.
TSSA Natural Gas and Hydrogen fee schedule · Policies and procedures
Last checked 15 October 2026.